About Jane C. Wright
Jane Cooke Wright (November 30, 1919 – February 19, 2013), also known as Jane Jones, was a pioneering cancer researcher and surgeon noted for her contributions to chemotherapy. In particular, Wright is credited with developing the technique of using human tissue culture rather than laboratory mice to test the effects of potential drugs on cancer cells. She also pioneered the use of the drug methotrexate to treat breast cancer and skin cancer (mycosis fungoids). == Early life, family, and education == Wright's family had a strong history of academic achievement in medicine. She was born in 1919 in Manhattan, New York, to Corinne Cooke, a public school teacher, and Louis T. Wright, who was one of the first African American graduates from Harvard Medical School. He was the first African American doctor at a public hospital in New York City. During his 30 years working at the Harlem Hospital, he founded and directed the Harlem Hospital Cancer Research Foundation. Louis T. Wright's biological father, Dr. Ceah Ketcham Wright, who was born into slavery but graduated from medical school, before dying when Louis T. Wright was four years old. Louis T. Wright's stepfather was William F. Penn, the first African-American graduate of Yale Medical College.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.